SBA seeks Oklahoma's bestsmall business entrepreneurs

By M. Scott Carter

Transcript Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY— The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Oklahoma District Office is seeking nominations for the state’s top small business entrepreneur and champions, officials announce this week.

Nominations are due Nov. 23.

An independent panel of judges — selected from the business community — will choose the 2008 Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year and other winners who will go on to compete for regional and national awards during National Small Business Week.

Each year, the president sets aside a week to honor small business owners and workers for their contribution to the economic strength of America. Small businesses represent about 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the country and generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually, over the last decade.

Oklahoma award winners will be chosen in the following categories:

• Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year: For developing an outstanding, growing business; innovative product(s), increasing jobs, increasing sales, overcoming adversity and community contributions.

• Small Business Exporter of the Year: Increased export sales and profits, encouraging other firms to export, increased jobs through exports and creative overseas marketing strategies.

• SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Owner will not reach 30th birthday by June 1, 2007, evidence of success in sales and profits, increased jobs, innovative products, demonstrated potential.

• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year: This award honors a family owned and operated small business which has been passed on from one generation to another and must have at least a 15-year track record.

• Entrepreneurial Success Award: Must own and operate a business that was launched “small” by SBA size standards, received SBA assistance and has since grown into a large business.

• Small Business Champions of the Year: Small Business Champion awards are made to individuals or organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

•Financial Services Champion of the Year: Individuals who assist small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services may be nominated.

• Home-Based Business Champion of the Year: Individuals who have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business and have volunteered to improve the climate for these businesses may be nominated.

• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year: Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to support minority entrepreneurship may be nominated.

• Small Business Journalist of the Year: Journalists representing television, radio, electronic or print media may be nominated.

• Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year: Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to advancing small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be veterans.

• Women in Business Champion of the Year: Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated.

For more information or a nomination package, call Darla Booker at 609-8012, or e-mail darla.booker@sba.gov.

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